Yarn-advancing reel



1948- E. G ENTHER 2,452,370

: YARN-ADVANCING REEL Filed law 23, 1946 2 Sheets-Shep 1 INVENTOR' RTHl/R 5. GUENTHER ATTORNE Y Oct. 26, 1948. GUENTHER 2,452,370

YARN-ADVANCING REEL Filed llay 23, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. Ann/u? E. GUENTHEE Mam Patented Oct. 26, 1948 YARN-ADVANCING REEL Arthur E. Guenther, Buflalo, N. Y., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application May 2a, 1946, Serial No. 6711 741 6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a yarn-advancing apparatus, and more particularly to a yarn-advancing reel for continuously advancing yarn in the general form of a helix.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved yam-advancing apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide a yarn-advancing reel in which a yarn is continuously advanced thereover in a general helical form.

Other and additional objects will become parent hereinafter.

The objects of this invention are accomplished, in general, by winding a yarn in substantially helical form around a reel having a set of fixed yarn-carrying bars, arranged concentrically around and rotatable in a fixed circular path about the center axis of the reel ax1e,'and a set of movable channel bars, positioned as hereafter explained, which, during rotation thereof about the center axis of the reel axle, move radially (vary their distance from the center axis of the reel axle) and axially (oscillate longitudinally relative to the fixed bars).

The movable bars are located in the reel so that they will be moved in a circular path about the reel by driving contact of the fixed bars. In one embodiment, the movable bars are channelshaped and a fixed bar is positioned in the channel of each of said movable bars.

The radial andaxial movements of the movable bars are controlled by a pair of spaced eccentric discs which are so mounted in the reel that, upon rotation-thereof about the reel axis, the discs will move in a perpendicular plane that is skewed with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the axle. The movable bars are arranged circumferentially of the discs and are connected thereto by joints which permit the movable channel-shaped bars to have freedom of motion around the circumference of each of the skewed discs so that, during rotation of the reel, the yarn-contacting edges of such movable bars will move radially and axially and always be parallel to the center axis of the reel axle.

In one embodiment, the discs are rotatably mounted on eccentrics which are, in turn, mounted on the reel axle in a position which is skewed with respect to the center axis of the reel axle. The eccentric is of such design that during approximately one-half of a revolution of the reel, the movable bars project beyond the fixed bars the remaining half of the revolution, the movable bars are in retracted position below the fixed bars and move laterally in the direction opposite to that of the yarn travel for a distance equal to that travelled by the movable bars in yarn-advancing position. When the reel is viewed from the end, it will be observed that the movable bars travel in an elliptical path around the offset axis of the eccentrics.

In one embodiment of the invention, each channeled movable bar is formed of two bladessecured in the desired spaced relationship by a spacer. Each of the movable channeled bars is provided with a pair of bearings, each of which respectively cooperates with a cylindrical segment carried by the skewed disc, One of the bearings of each pair is self-positioning so that it can shift axially and laterally thereof. To facilitate such moveinto yam-carrying position and move laterally in the direction of the feed of the yarn to advance the yarn across the reel. During approximately ments, each of the fixed bars is provided adjacent each end thereof with guide discs formed of a self-lubricating material.

The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a longitudinal section, with parts omitted for clarity, of a yam-advancing reel of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1; w

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line' 6- -5 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an elevation of one of the bearings of one of the universal joints Figure 8 is a front elevation of the adjustable bearings; and

Figure 9 is a front elevation of the adjustable bearing guide.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts, the referencenumeral iii designates a stationary axle of the reel, one end of which is fixedly secured by appropriate means in an outboard support l2. An end plate It is provided with a hub l6 which is rotatably disposed on a concentric bushing I8 angers seem-ed on the axle II. The hub II is secured to the enid plate II by means or bolts 22 and spacer plate I.

The end plate I4 is secured to a flange 28 of a casting III by means of bolts 82, which also cooperates with the spacer plate 24. The casting I is secured onto one end oi a drive shaft 34, which is supported in an outboard bearing 38 and driven in any suitable manner by means not shown.

An end plate 40, disposed in spaced-relationship with respect to end plate I4, is provided with a hub 42 which is secured thereto by means of bolts N and a spacer plate 4!. The hub 42 is rotatably mounted on concentric the axle III.

If desired, a plurality of spaced tie bars (not shown) can be secured to the end plates It and 40 in any convenient manner, it being understood bushing 82 mounted on that the tie rods will pass through holes (not shown) in the discs I20 and I so that there will be no interference between their relative motion.

A plurality of bars 82 are arranged equidistantly and in spaced relationship along the peripheries of both of the end plates I4 and III to which they are secured, as will now be described. Each of the bars 64 is provided at the opposite lower ends thereof with a plate It having a flange 60 and a plate 82 having a flange 64 respectively. Flange 00 is seated on end plate I! and bolts 86 secure the plate 58 to the end plate I4. Flange 84 is seated on end plate 40 and bolts 88 secure the end plate 82 to the end plate 40. For reasons which will become apparent hereafter, each of the bars 54 is provided with an elongated slot 69 in the bottomedge thereof.

From the description thus far, it is apparent that upon rotation of shaft 34 the end plate I4 will be caused to rotate about the center axis of the axle Iii. Since the bars 54 are rigidly secured to end plates I4 and 40, the rotary movement of the end plate Il will be imparted to end plate lIl which will also rotate about the center axis of the axle III. As a consequence, the bars 54 will be rotated in a fixed circular (concentric) path about the center axis of the axle iii. The bars I4, as will hereafter appear, are yam-contacting bars and, since they are fixed, i. e. do not have any radial or axial movement, are hereinafter called "fixed yam-supporting bars." In other words, the fixed yarn-supporting bars 5i and the end plates ii and 40 constitute a rigid casing rotatable 'about the center axis of the axle III.

As is shown in the drawings, each fixed yarnsupporting bar 54 is located in the channel of a channel-shaped yam-contacting bar, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. Each channeled yarn-contacting bar. is

formed of two blades II maintained in spaced relationship by a spacer 14 to which the blades are secured by means of bolts 16.

Each oi the blades II is provided with a pair of slots 20 and 82 respectively. The slots 80 and 22, in one of the blades of a channel-shaped bar, are in alignment with corresponding slots in the other blade. As is shown in Figure 1, the slots II and 82 are so positioned in the blades that they are disposed adjacent the slot 69 in the fixed bar.

Between the slots 80 in each pair of blades II and extending transversely of the slot 69 in the fixed bar 64, there is a bearing 86 which is provided with a keyhole slot 88, the circular portion of which, as will hereafter appear, constitutes a bearing surface. Bolts 98, extending through holes 82 in the bearing 86 and aligned holes in the blades II, secure the bearing in position.

The bearing II. as shown in Figure '3, is of a thickness equal to the space between the blades 1 I and also serves to maintain the blades in proper spaced relationship.

Between the slots 22 in each pair of blades II and extending transversely of the slot 8! in the fixed bar ll, there is a bearing 23 which, as shown in Figure 8, is provided with a keyhole slot ll, the circular portion of which, as will hereafter appear, constitutes a bearing surface. The bearing 82 is self-positioning end is arranged so that it can shift axially of the reel and thus prevent possible binding of the moving parts due to inaccuracies in machining or warping of parts due to temperature. As shown in Figure 5. the bearing 03 is disposed between a pair of positioning members 98. Each positioning member .0 is slotted, as indicated by the reference numeral I" (see Figure 9), and on its inner surface is provided with tongues IIl2 which are disposed in grooves I04 in the bearing 93. Each positioning member is provided with holes I06 which are in alignment with slotted holes III! in the bearing 82. A bushing I00 of a length slightly longer than the width of the bearing 83 is positioned in each slotted hole I00 between the members 28 and in alignment with the respective holes I08. A bolt IIII extends through each pair of aligned holes I06 and the bushing I09 therebetween. A nut III on each bolt H0 is drawn up tightly, clamping the assembly together. By this construction, the bearing 83 is free for some movebearings 92 there is positioned a similar cylindrical segment I22. Each cylindrical segment I20 is respectively secured, as by welding, to an arm I24 which is, in turn, secured by bolts I28 and plates I21 to a disc I28. The disc I28 has a central hub I30 secured to it by means of bolts I32 and rings I33 and I. The hub I30 is rotatably mounted on an eccentric bushing I25 provided with a bore such that. when the bushing is disposed in position on the axle I0, it will be skewed with respect to the center axis of the axle I0.

Each cylindrical segment I22 is respectively secured to arms I which, in turn, are secured by bolts I46 and a plate I" to a disc I". The disc I48 has a central hub I50 secured thereto by means of bolts I52 and rings I83 and I. The hub IBII- is rotatably positioned on an eccentrio bushing I", the bore of which is such that when it is in position on the axle I0 it will be skewed with respect to the center axis of said axle. Eccentric bushings I35 and I" are fixed on axle III and discs I28 and I" are skewed so as to lie in parallel planes.

From the foregoing description, it is manifest that upon rotation 01 the fixed yam-contacting bars 84, the movable channeled yarn-contacting bars Ill will be driven and rotated therewith. In order that the desired radial and axial movements be imparted to the movable bars III from the skewed eccentric discs I28 and I, one of s shaped bar 10' is secured by means of a bolt I80 to a pair'of driving cups I62 positioned on each end of the cylindrical segment. Due to this construction, the channeled member I is secured to the discs I28 and I48 so that it does change its position during rotation of the reel in respect f to discs I28 and I48 and upon rotation of the reel, rotary movement imparted to the channeled yarn-supporting bar by the fixed bar in the channel thereof will be transmitted to the discs I28 and I48 whereby such discs will rotate about their respective skewed eccentrics I85 and I55 respectively and control the radial and axial movements of the channel bars 10. The assembly of the movable bars and the discs for controlling the radial and lateral movements thereof constitutes a non-rigid cage.

Due to the construction, as the discs are revolved on the skewed eccentric bushings, the

' channel bars will vary their distance from the center line of the axle I0 and also oscillate longitudinally with respect to the fixed bars.

The skewed eccentrics I35 and I55 are of such design that when the channeled yarn-supporting bars 10 are in the peripheral zone of the reel designated by the reference character A in Figure 2, the movable channel-shaped bars will be in yarn-contacting position and will move axially in the direction of the feed of the yarn across the reel. When the channel-shaped bars I dom of motion around the circumference of each of the skewed discs so that, during" rotation of the reel, the yarn-contacting edges of the channeled bar will, irrespective of its radial and axial movement, always be parallel to the center axis of the reel axle.

The movable channeled yarn-contacting bars 10 are located about the fixed bars 54 so that they can move radially and laterally thereof. In

order to facilitate such movement, the fixed bars 54 are provided with guides which cooperate with the inner sides of the blades II. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, these guides consist of two pairs of shouldered discs I10, each pair being disposed in opposed relationship in a hole in the fixed bar 54 and secured in position by screws I12. As shown in Figure 6, the exterior surfaces of the discs I10 are in contact with the inner sides of the blades II. In the form shown, the discs I10 are made of a self-lubricating material, such as, for example, Micarta, a phenol-formaldehyde resin.

In Figure 1, wherein like numbers refer to like parts, I56 designates a sleeve, I51 designates a holding ring, I58 designates a-spacing sleeve and I59 a bushing sleeve. These parts may or may not be used as desired. 4

As is apparent from the foregoing description,

axle I0. During such rotation, rotary movement will be imparted to the movable bars and such motion transmitted to the respective discs by the secured cylindrical segments whereby radial and axial movements are imparted to the movable channeled bars in accordance with the contour of the eccentric skewed bushings.

The increment of the yarn advancement or magnitude of the pitch of the advancing yarn is determined by the degree to which the discs are skewed. v

Though in the embodiment hereinbefore described the eccentric skewed bushings I35 and I55 are of such a design that during approxim tely one-half of the revolution of the reel the yarn will be carried and advanced in the direction of the yarn feed by the channeled bars 10 and during approximately the remaining half of the revolution the channeled bars 10 will be out of contact with the yarn and the latter is carried by the fixed bars 54, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted thereto. By appropriate design of the eccentric bushings I35 andv I55, the movable channeled bars 10 can be made to carry and advance the yarn for more or less able channeled bars 10 can be made to alternately carry the yarn a plurality of times during a single revolution of the reel. In the latter embodiment, the portions of the revolutions of the reel wherein the movable bars carry the yarn can be equivalent to or greater or less than those wherein the fixed bars carry the yarn.

The reel can be used for continuously advancing yarn in the general form of a helix. The yarn can be processed as desired while on the reel. Thus, for example, if the yarn is made by the viscose process, the casting 30 may constitute a part of the frame of the spinning machine and the yarn may be washed, desulfured, bleached or dried during its passage across the r 1. If desired, the yarn can be stretched, while's-till wet with coagulating bath liquor or under the influence of hot water, by makingthe fixed and movthe non-rigid cage is driven by the rigid cage.

Due to the construction and arrangement of the parts of the reel, upon rotation of the rigid cage the fixed bars 54 thereof will be revolved in a fixed circular path about the center axis of the able yarn-contacting bars progressively deeper toward the yarn wind-off and making the helices larger at that end. Alternatively, the fixed and movable channeled bars may be made progresslvely smaller toward the yarn wind-off end to allow forshrinkage during appropriate treatment, such asdesulfur ing or drying.

Though the invention has been specifically described in connection with a reel which is supported at both ends, it is to be understood that it is not restricted thereto. The invention can be applied to reels of the cantilever type.

The invention provides a yarn-advancing reel wherein the yarn is continuously and effectively advanced in the general form of a helix.

centrically about said reel axle, means to rotatesaid fixed yarn-contacting bars about the center axis of-said axle, a set of movable channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars, each of saidv fixed yarncontaeting bars being disposed in the channel or a channel-shaped yarn-contacting bar, a pair of spaced skewed eccentrioally mounted discs on said axleand carrying said channel-shaped yarncontacting bars, means to secure one of said channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars in driving relationship with said discs, and a joint between each of the remaining channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars and said discs whereby radial and axial movements are imparted to each of said remaining" channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars and such channel-shaped bars are maintained parallel to the center axis of said axle during rotation of the reel.

. 2. In a yam-advancing reel, a reel axle, a set of spaced fixed yarn-contacting bars arranged concentrically about said reel axle, means to rotate said fixed yarn-contacting bars about the center axis oi-said axle, a set of movable channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars, each of said fixed yamcontacting bars being disposed in the channel of a channel-shaped yarn-contacting bar, a pair of spaced skewed eccentrics mounted on said axle, a

/ disc rotatably mounted on each of said skewed eccentrics and carrying said channel-shaped yamcontacting bars, means to secure one of said channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars in driving relationship with said discs, and a Joint between each of the remaining channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars and said discs whereby radial and axial movements are imparted to each oi said re-, maining channel-shaped bars and such bars are maintained parallel to the center axis of said axle during rotation of the reel.

3. In a yarn-advancing reel, a reel axle, a set of spaced fixed yam-contacting bars arranged concentrically about said reel axle, means to rotate said fixed yarn-contacting bars about the center axis of said axle, a set of movable channelshaped yarn-contacting bars, each of said fixed yam-contacting bars being disposed in the channel of a channel-shaped yarn-contacting bar, a pair of spaced skewed eccentrically mounted discs on said axle and carrying said channelshaped yarn-contacting bars, means to secure one of said channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars in driving relationship with said discs, a plurality of cylindrical segments arranged circumferentially of and carried by each oi said discs, and a pair of bearings at the bottom of each of the remaining channel-shaped members, one of said bearings cooperating with the cylindrical segment on one disc and the other of said bearings cooperatingwith the cylindrical segment on the other disc, whereby each of said remaining channel-shaped bars is moved radially and axially and always maintained parallel to the center axis of the axle during rotation 01' the reel.

4. In a yarn-advancing reel, a reel axle, a set of spaced fixed yarn-contacting bars arranged concentrically about said reel axle. means to rotate said fixed yarn-contacting bars about the center axis of said axle, a set or movable channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars, each of said fixed yarn-contacting bars being disposed in the channel of v a movable channel-shaped yarncontactlng bar. a pair of spaced skewed eccentric bushings mounted on said axle, a disc rotatably mounted on ,each of said skewed eccentric bushings and carrying said channel-shaped yarncontacting bars, means to secure one or said channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars in driving relationship with said discs, a plurality of cylindrical segments arranged circumierentially of and carried by each 01 said discs, anda pair of bearings at the bottom of each or the remainin channel-shaped members, one of said bearings cooperating with the cylindrical segment on one disc and the other of said bearings cooperating with the cylindrical segment on the other disc. whereby each of saidv remaining channel-shaped bars is moved radially and axially and always maintained parallel to the center axis of the axle during rotation of the reel.

5. In a yarn-advancing reel, a reel axle, a set of spaced fixedyarn-contaoting bars arranged concentrically about said reel axle, means to rotate said fixed yarn-contacting bars about the center axis or said axle, a set or movable channelshaped yam-contacting bars, each oi! said fixed yarn-contacting bars being disposed in the channel of a channel-shaped yarn-contacting bar, a pair of spaced skewed eccentrically mounted discs on said axle and carrying said channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars, means to secure one of said channel-shaped yam-contacting bars in driving relationship with said discs, a plurality oi cylindrical segments arranged circumi'e'rentially oi and carried by each of said discs, and a pair of bearingsat the bottom of each of the remaining channel-shaped members, one of said bearings cooperating with the cylindrical segment on one disc and the other of said bearings cooperating with the cylindrical segment on the other disc, whereby each of said remaining channelshaped bars is moved radially and axially and always maintained parallel to the center axis of the axle during rotation of the reel, one of said bearings being self-positioning.

6. In a yarn-advancing reel, a reel axle, a set of spaced fixed yarn-contacting bars'arranged concentrically about said reel axle, means to rotate said fixed yarn-contacting bars about the center axis of said axle, a set or movable channelshaped yarn-contacting bars, each of said fixed yarn-contacting bars being disposed in the channel of a movable channel-shaped yarn-contacting bar, a pair 0! spaced skewed eccentrics mounted on said axle. a disc rotatably mounted on each of said skewed eccentrics and carrying said channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars, means to secure one of said channel-shaped yarn-contacting bars in driving relationship with said discs, a plurality of cylindrical segments ar- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name pate 2,168,555 Battin Aug. 8, 1939 2,179,523 Samerdyke Nov. 14, 1930 2,365,096 Mothwurr Dec. 12, 1944 2,403,031 Stanley et a1. July 2, 1946 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,452,370. October 26, 1948.

ARTHUR E. GUENTHER It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 46, for the word bearings read bearing; column 4, line 11, for end read and;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of March, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gammz'ssz'oner of Patents. 

